Aloe plant named ‘PHANTASM’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Aloe  plant named ‘PHANTASM’ is disclosed, characterized by vertical rosettes of variegated leaves, with an overall milky pale lemon green shading, pale yellow margins and tiny marginal teeth. Plants of the new variety grow with a more upswept morphology, thereby reducing the leaf breakage that is prevalent among many other  Aloes  with a more lateral morphology.  Aloe  ‘Phantasm’ is a relatively fast and robust grower, unusual for a variegate. The new variety is an  Aloe , typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Aloe ciliaris.

Variety denomination: ‘PHANTASM’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery. The new variety was discovered as a naturally occurring whole plant mutation of the parent variety. The parent is an unpatented, unnamed variety of Aloe ciliaris. Selection of the new variety was made in August of 2016 at a commercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘PHANTASM’ was first performed by vegetative cuttings at a commercial nursery in Vista, Calif. in October 2016. ‘PHANTASM’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘PHANTASM’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘PHANTASM.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘PHANTASM’ as a new and distinct Aloe cultivar:

-   -   1. The new cultivar Aloe ‘Phantasm’ forms rosettes of leaves         with overall milky pale lemon green shading, pale yellow margins         and tiny marginal teeth. Center of leaves are overall milky         lemon green, with unique emerald green striations.     -   2. Aloe ‘Phantasm’ grows with a more upswept morphology, thereby         reducing the leaf breakage that is prevalent among many other         Aloes with a more lateral morphology causing the leaves to         extend over the edges of the pots. The more upright morphology         is a benefit for the commercial nursery as shipment does not         cause unsightly leaf breakage to the product.     -   3. Aloe ‘Phantasm’, with its milky color creates a novel         purchase for the customer, and can be used in mixed plantings of         colorful perennials or along with other colorful Aloes to         provide an attractive accent.     -   4. Aloe ‘Phantasm’ is a relatively fast and robust grower,         unusual for a variegate.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Aloe ‘Phantasm’ differs from the parent Aloe ciliaris variety in that it is a variegate and exhibits coloration of milky pale yellow green, rather than the overall emerald green coloration of Aloe ciliaris hybrid.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘PHANTASM’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Aloe ‘Blue Elf’. The two Aloe varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety differs in the following:

-   -   1. Aloe ‘Phantasm’ produces ornate rosettes of rigid green         leaves, liberally dappled with light yellow-green or         greyed-green spots, whereas Aloe ‘Blue Elf’ exhibits taller         rosettes of longer matte blue leaves with no spots.     -   2. Aloe ‘Phantasm’ fills an 8″ pot with a single cut, whereas         Aloe ‘Blue Elf’ fills an 8″ pot only after a much longer         interval with the production of offsets.     -   3. Aloe ‘Phantasm’ displays wide, strong leaves which are         contained within the perimeter of the pot, whereas Aloe ‘Blue         Elf’ produces softer, longer leaves which can break in shipping.     -   4. Aloe ‘Phantasm’ forms thick, rigid leaves that do not         “blanch” or exhibit “tip death”, whereas those of Aloe ‘Blue         Elf’ are thinner and are known to suffer “blanch” or “tip death”         under certain circumstances in the commercial environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and equipment. While the colors in these photographs may display variances of color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (light reflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using conventional photographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differ slightly from the color values cited in the botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new cultivar Aloe ‘Phantasm’.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a plant with a single rosette of Aloe ‘Phantasm’, at about 5 months, grown in a greenhouse (approximately 2500 foot candles) in Vista, Calif.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color the rosette of FIG. 1 from a different angle.

FIG. 3 illustrates in full color an older plant of Aloe ‘Phantasm’, closer to 1 year old, with offsets, grown in a greenhouse (approximately 2500 foot candles) in Vista, Calif.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart, 2007 edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘PHANTASM’ plants grown in a commercial nursery in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from about −1° C. to 39° C. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 3000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Aloe ciliaris ‘PHANTASM’. -   Age of the plant described: About 5 months.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 25 days at 22° C. -   Root description: Fibrous. Brown, not accurately measured with the     RHS chart. -   Propagation method: Vegetative cuttings.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright succulent. -   Container size: 5 inch. -   Height: Approximately 17 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 17 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate for Aloe ciliaris, rapid for a variegated     Aloe. -   Branching characteristics: No branches, rosette forming. -   Central stem:     -   -   Length.—About 12 cm.         -   Width.—10 to 14 mm.         -   Color.—Near Green-White 157A.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Appearance.—Matte.         -   Strength.—Moderately strong.         -   Internode.—About 3 to 5 mm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Spiral.         -   Average length.—Average range 8 cm to 12 cm.         -   Average width.—2.2 cm.         -   Average thickness.—2 mm.         -   Shape of blade.—Very narrow deltoid.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Clasping.         -   Margin.—Small, slightly sharp dentations occurring at             regular intervals of about 3 mm apart. Dentations about 1 to             2 mm tall.         -   Aspect.—Moderately reflexed.         -   Angle of attachment.—Upswept, acute angle.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.         -   Quantity of leaves.—Average 25.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 138D             streaked Green 141C. Overall overlay shading near             Yellow-Green 145D. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green             138D streaked Green 141C. Overall overlay shading near             Yellow-Green 145D. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green             138D streaked Green 141A and 141C. Overall overlay shading             near Yellow-Green 150D. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS             Green 138D streaked Green 141A and 141C. Overall overlay             shading near Yellow-Green 150D. Venation: Linear. Color:             Indistinguishable from leaf blade.

FLOWER

-   Not observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately     −2° C. to at least 40° C. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility     observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aloe plant named ‘PHANTASM’ as herein illustrated and described. 